Parking brake operator lever

ABSTRACT

A parking brake assembly wherein the main lever assembly is longitudinally divided so that the operating components of the assembly can be positioned in one of the divided members and the other half is secured thereto which enables automatic assembly of the components.

United States Patent [1 1 Asou et al. 5] Mar. 27, 1973 [54] PARKINGBRAKE OPERATOR LEVER [56] References Cited [75] Inventors: Setsuro Asou;Junichi Sugawara; UN ED T Tukuhei Tanso; Katsuji Yashiro, all IT STA ESPATENTS of Yokohama, Japan 2,l26,016 8/1938 Jandus ..74/537 73 1Assigneez Otsukakoki v Kabus ha 2,985,032 5/1961 Schxjodel' et a1...74/536 Yokohama Japan Primary Examiner-Milton Kaufman [22] Filed: Mar.23, 1971 AttorneyJohn J. Byrne 21 A 1.N 127 245 1 pp 57 ABSTRACT 30Fore; A icafi Pri ri Data A parking brake assembly wherein the mainlever as- 1 pp o ty sembly is longitudinally divided so that theoperating Mar. 23, 1970 Japan ..45/90421 components of the can bepositioned in one of the divided members and the other half is secured[52] US. Cl a 74/535, 74/537 thereto which enables automatic assembly fh [51] Int. Cl. ..G05g 5/06 ponems [58] Field of Search; ..74/533,-535,536, 537, 538

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PARKING BRAKE OPERATOR LEVER BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION devices where a, plurality of operating components isinvolved. For instance, in structures relating to parking brakeoperating levers, it has heretofore been impossible to efficientlyassemble the lever proper because of the multiple supply directions forthe assembly of the component parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Anobject of this invention is to provide aparking brake operating lever which can be automatically assembled. Thelever proper is divided lengthwise for these purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS These and other objects of the inventionwill become more apparent to those skilled in the art by reference tothe following detailed description when viewed in light of theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross section; I

FIG. 2 is an end view taken from the right of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view of the major component parts; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective showing several principle components.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like numerals indicate like parts,the numeral'l indicates a parking brake operating assembly of thisinvention. The assembly includes a cylindrical portion 3 having at oneend a downwardly extending triangular-shaped base portion 2. The leverassembly is divided longitudinally into symmetricalparts a and b. Thebase 2 is apertured at its lower end to receive a braking cable toperform a braking function in the conventional manner. Extendinginwardly from portion a are a pair of pins 4 and 5 reduced in diameterat their outer ends to be received by matching apertures in the baseportion 2 of part b. A ratchet fitting 9 notched at area 10 is securedto the vehicle chassis c by bolts as shown in FIG. 1.

Between members a and b is a pawl member 11 mounted for pivotalmovementabout pin 5 and having a tooth for engagement with the ratchetportion 10. At its other end, the pawl 11 is pivotally secured to a rod8 having a button 13 at its outer end. A handle member 12 of plastic orrubber is secured about the cylindrical portion 3. Secured within thecylindrical portion 3 near the button 13 is an abutment 14. A coilspring 7 is disposed between the abutment l4 and the button 13 and actsto bias the pawl into engagement with the ratchet. As can be readilyunderstood, a depression of the button 13 against the bias of the springpermits the pawl to disengage the ratchet portion. The lever assemblyitself is mounted for pivotal movement about pin 4 when the ratchet isdisengaged. As will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, apivoting movement of lever 3 when the pawl is disengaged will permit thebase portion 2 to transmit a braking or release movement to a cableattached thereto. This brake assembly is generally referred to by thenumeral 6. The

I numeral 15 indicates a tubular cover which encloses the cylindricalportion 3 by sliding it from the front after joining side b to thereceiving side a of said lever from the identical side with said brakingmechanism 6 and clamping and securing the tip portions of said pivotpins 4, 5 which protrude from the surface of the base portion. The tubecovers the joint which is unfavorable to the vehicle standard as it isexposed in the longitudinal direction of the upper portion of said leverproper l, and retains the joint between said receiving side a and thejoint portion side b more firmly to prevent a decrease in strength. Thebrake operating lever is generally coated with a chrome plating givingthe lever of this invention an effect similar to an expensive chromeplating by making it with a stainless steel sheet.

The covering method may be carried out either by bending projectingmembers provided at the appropriate end portions inwardly of the leverproper l, forming the lever by an elastic material and clamping from theexternal side, or applying a bonding. agent on an inner periphery tobind them. The numeral 12 indicates a handle grip which is inserted withpressure from the forward portion into the tip portion of thecylindrical portion 3, and is effective in retaining the joining of saidreceiving side a and the joint portion side a b more firmly, but it maynot be used when the cover'l5 encloses the cylindrical portion. Itshould be noted that the pivot pins 4 and 5 can be fixed to the side bor the fitting member 9 of the braking mechanism 6 without risingandfixing to the one of the receiving sides a of the lever proper I, orcan be inserted from its oneside after jointing the side b to the side awithout fixing to either side. By employing a divided lever thisinvention enables the assembly of the component parts, namely, thefitting member 9 the braking mechanism 6, the operating lever 8, and thedivided lever proper l to the other divided portionv by supplying themfrom the identical direction. This makes the automation of the assemblyof parts of said operating lever. Furthermore, the operating lever ofthis invention can be applied to the braking mechanism 6 which is animportant portion ofthe lever to a wide range not only for theabove-mentioned ratchet system but also for a wedge system.

In a general manner, while there has been disclosed an effective andefficient embodiment of the invention, it should be well understood thatthe invention is not limited to such an embodiment as there might bechanges made in the arrangement, disposition, and form of the partswithout departing from the principle f of the present invention ascomprehended within the with said ratchet.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first means includes a pinextending between said first and second sides.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said second means includes a secondpin extending between said first and second side. i

t t t i l

1. A brake assembly particularly for use to move an operating member ofa vehicle parking brake mechanism comprising a fitting secured to thechassis of the vehicle, a ratchet formed on a surface of said fitting,an elongated lever member longitudinally divided into first and secondsides disposed on both sides of said ratchet, a tubular hand-gripforming one end of said lever, a base portion at the other end of saidlever member to which said operating member of said braking mechanism isadapted to be attached, first means pivotally supporting said levermember to said fitting between said one end and said base, a pawl havinga tooth for engagement with said ratchet, second means pivotallymounting said pawl between said sides, third means within said hand-gripfor selectively moving said pawl to and from locking engagement withsaid ratchet.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first meansincludes a pin extending between said first and second sides.
 3. Theinvention of claim 2 wherein said second means includes a second pinextending between said first and second side.